Details
Unique masterpieces produced by the hands of craftsmen
Quality, refinement and tradition. Le Luth Doré ® lutes, early guitars and mandolins are designed in Paris by experienced european luthiers, and handcrafted in our high quality new China-based manufacturing facility, by today’s top luthiers in the country.
LLD ® instruments represent the culmination of over 40 years of music instruments manufacturing by our European and Chinese luthiers and 20 years of music expertise by world famous lutenist Miguel Serdoura.
The tone, resonance, and beauty of fine instruments are all dependent upon the wood from which they are made. The wood used in the construction of LLD ® lutes, early guitars and mandolines is carefully chosen and aged to guarantee the highest quality.
With select solid woods and impeccable workmanship, LLD ® instruments will satisfy anyone looking for a truly superior sound and an unique experience with exquisite early music instruments.
All LLD ® instruments are sold with modern, exclusive and refined fiberglass hard case, featuring a convenient climatic system to ensure your instrument great protection against travel, storage and climate changes.
History of the lute
The lute is probably the most widely distributed type of stringed instrument in the world. In Europe, the lute enjoyed great popularity from the 15th-18th centuries where it had an important role in both courtly and popular music. It is depicted with great frequency in artworks from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. It was the principal plucked string instrument of its time. It originated in the Middle East as the Arabic ʿūd. The instrument was brought to Europe in the 13th century where it was adapted to suite local musical styles. The European lute has a deep, pear-shaped body, a neck with a bent-back pegbox, and strings tied to a bridge glued to the instrument’s belly. European lutes have a large, circular sound hole cut into the belly and ornamented with a perforated rose carved from the belly’s wood.
The earliest European lutes followed the Arab instruments in having four strings that were plucked with a quill plectrum. By the mid-14th century the strings had become pairs, usually referred to as courses. These were tuned in unison or, in the bass strings, at the octave. Late in the 15th century, the plectrum was abandoned in favor of playing with the fingers, movable gut frets were added to the fingerboard, and the instrument acquired a fifth course. The frets were important as they opened the way for lutes to play multiple notes or chords and still be in tune.
The Renaissance lute
By the 16th century the classic form of the Renaissance lute was established, with its six courses of strings (the top course was a single string) tuned to G–c–f–a–d′–g′, ascending from the second G below middle C. Later in the sixteenth century, additional courses of strings were added to the 6-course instrument. Some of leading lute makers of the time included Laux Maler, Hans Frei, Vendelio Venere, Moeses and Magno Tieffenbrucker.
The archlute, chitarrone and the theorbo
By the early 17th century the 7-course lute was extended by the addition of extra basses, resulting in lutes of 8, 9 and 10 courses. Instruments changed in line with these additional bass strings, or diapasons, which required the widening and lengthening of the neck and head of the instrument. Such modified instruments were called archlute, chitarrone and the theorbo.
The Baroque lute
Shortly after 1600, modified tunings were introduced by French lutenists giving rise to a few decades of great experimentation. However, by around 1650 the scheme known today as the "Baroque" or "D minor" tuning became the norm and the number of strings grew even more to 13 by the 18th century. The first six courses outline a d-minor triad (ascending A-d-f-a-d’-f’) followed by an additional 5 to 7 courses, descending stepwise from the low A. Lutes in D minor tuning today are known as Baroque lutes and can have 11, 12 or 13 courses, according to the nature of the different types of repertoire.
Modern lutenists tune their lutes, vihuelas, archlutes or theorbos to a variety of pitch standards, ranging from A = 392 to 470 Hz, depending on the type of instrument they are playing, the repertory, the pitch of other instruments in an ensemble and other performing expediencies. No attempt at a universal pitch standard existed during the period of the lute's historical popularity. In modern days it is usual to tune the Renaissance lute in A to 440 Hz and the Baroque lute in A to 415 Hz.
© Le Luth Doré SAS
Characteristics
Wood and color characteristics
• Top in high grade wide grain solid spruce, finished and slightly varnished
• Bowl in ribbon striped sapelli, finished and oil varnished in transparent color
• Spacers in ebony
• Neck, bridge and pegbox in maple, finished and varnished in black
• Pegs in ebony
• Fingerboard and soundboard frets in ebony
• Fingerboard frets in natural sheep gut
• Nut in natural cow bone
• Laser carved rosette
• Strung with Aquila Nylgut® strings
• LLD® FG-R case included
• Two LLD® L1 case straps included
3 Reviews For "LLD ® Galilei 8c Renaissance lute"
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I've been playing Renaissance music on classical guitar, and I really wanted a Renaissance lute and ordered LLD ® GALILEI 8C RENAISSANCE LUTE.
The price is also affordable.I think this lute is the best lute for the first time. -
I have had a great interest in the renaissance music throughout my adult life. I have used classical guitar and a special alto guitar to approach this beautiful old music, but all the time I wanted to have a real lute, with the real lute sound and design.
Finally, I have obtained a such instrument, with the authentic sound and appearance. The choice felt on the Galilei 8 course lute from Le Luth Doré ® in Paris. Miguel at Le Luth Doré ® always responded quickly to my questions and was of great help. When buying a good instrument, it is important for me to be in contact with the seller when it feels necessary. At this company it has not been a problem at all.
I live far north of Norway, actually north of the Arctic Circle, but it took only five days from Paris until I had it here at my door step. Think that must be some kind of a record?!
First, I have to say that the transition to lute from classical guitar may be a bit bigger than I thought. The lute is surprisingly delicate and must be played with care, but that is just as it should be I understand. The first few days I had to tune the instrument quite often, but that is also normal - with New Nylgut ® strings and pegs!
The neck is perfect for me, easy to play and nice. The bowl is made of dark Sapelli, wonderful and beautifully built. The sound is clear but also warm all over the register and gives the perfect sound you associate with a good lute, but the touch has to be light.
Therefore, I would like to thank Le Luth Doré ® for delivering another lovely instrument, this time to me, and I’m sure tis lute will give me and perhaps others too, great joy in the future.
Finally, the case is also worth a few comments, simply the strongest and best case I've ever seen, with built-in moisture meter and a lovely dark brown design!"
Frank Antonsen
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Wonderful new lute brings beautiful music into my life!
by Anne deLute on 07 Sun,2019
I absolutely love my Galilei Renaissance lute! I was so impressed the day it arrived, from the moment I saw the sleek black case to when I opened it and saw the gorgeous instrument inside, and then, when I heard how utterly beautiful it sounded when I plucked the strings! The woods are stunning -- the spruce top with its haselfichte and the absolutely luscious-looking sapelli bowl give the lute a very aesthetically pleasing appearance. The workmanship is of very high calibre -- it is a lightly built instrument, as it should be, and it feels (and looks) very well made to high standards.
Of course, most importantly, the lute sounds divine: the sound is so delicate and beautiful, but also resonant and rich, bringing to life music from a time long ago, making it sound fresh and new. It is also very comfortable to play, easy to tune, and an all-round musical delight!
I was also impressed with how helpful and friendly Miguel and everybody is at LLD, because they truly have the best customer service – I was made to feel as if I was the only client they had, and that they wanted to make everything work out for me as best as possible. I have nothing but praise for LLD and their lutes!
I tell everyone I know about my beautiful LLD lute -- I show it to people and play it for them with great pride and pleasure! Everyone who has seen and heard it is overwhelmed by how lovely it is. If anyone asks about buying a lute, I highly recommend Le Luth Doré and their exceptionally fine instruments.
I am so very pleased that I chose to buy an LLD lute, because I am thrilled with it! When I sit down to play, the hours slip by as I become lost in a beautiful world of sound! Many thanks to Miguel and LLD for making it so easy (and affordable!) to own and play such a wonderful lute. It has enriched my life immeasurably!